Incident Overview
On August 5, 2012, a fatal aviation accident occurred in the vicinity of the Coburg-Steinrücken airfield (EDQY) in Germany. The aircraft involved was a Piper Aircraft Corporation PA-28-181, a single-engine, four-seat low-wing airplane with fixed tricycle landing gear. The incident resulted in the destruction of the aircraft and the deaths of all four persons on board.
Flight Sequence and Impact
The pilot initiated takeoff at 06:16 local time for a private scenic flight. Witnesses reported that the aircraft increased its angle of attack and lifted off approximately 150 meters down the runway. However, it failed to gain significant altitude. About 370 meters beyond the end of the runway, the left wing struck the canopy of a tree in a forest area located in the departure direction. The aircraft then executed a turn of approximately 30 degrees to the right and crossed a valley cut by a new high-speed rail line before colliding with trees at the edge of a forest perpendicular to the flight path. The impact caused the aircraft to crash into the ground, where it subsequently burned completely.
Aircraft and Pilot Details
The aircraft was built in 1979 and powered by a Lycoming O-360-A4M engine rated at 135 kW (180 hp), equipped with an electrically adjustable three-blade propeller. It was certified for operation on automotive gasoline under Supplemental Type Certificate SE2563CE. The pilot, a 31-year-old female, held a private pilot license valid until September 29, 2016. She had a total flight experience of 56 hours and 57 minutes, with 8 hours and 17 minutes on this specific aircraft type.
Investigation Findings
The German Federal Aviation Office (BFU) investigated the wreckage. The engine was disassembled and showed no signs of mechanical failure prior to the crash; however, heat damage prevented a full inspection of the ignition system. The propeller blades were found in a low-pitch position, consistent with takeoff or climb configuration. Fuel samples taken from the airfield's pumps tested as standard summer-grade gasoline with no quality defects. Meteorological conditions at the time were favorable for visual flight rules, with clear visibility and light winds.
Survival Aspects
The crash site was located approximately 650 meters beyond the runway end, in a wooded area with a height difference of about 20 meters from the runway elevation. The severity of the impact injuries sustained by the occupants rendered survival impossible. The aircraft burned extensively, destroying most internal components and instruments.